1183. dekatoó

Lexical Summary

dekatoó: To tithe, to give a tenth

Original Word: δεκατόω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: dekatoó
Pronunciation: deh-kat-OH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (dek-at-o'-o)
KJV: pay (receive) tithes
NASB: collected a tenth, paid tithes
Word Origin: [from G1181 (δεκάτη - tithes)]

1. to tithe, i.e. to give, take, or receive a tenth

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pay or receive tithes.

From dekate; to tithe, i.e. To give or take a tenth -- pay (receive) tithes.

see GREEK dekate

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1183 dekatóō– to tithe. See 1181 (dekátē).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from dekaté
Definition
to collect tithes
NASB Translation
collected a tenth (1), paid tithes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1183: δεκατόω

δεκατόω, δεκάτῳ: perfect δεδεκάτωκα; perfect passive δεδεκατωμαι; (δέκατος); to exact or receive the tenth part (for which Greek writers use δεκατεύω (Winer's Grammar, 24)): with the accusative of person from whom, Hebrews 7:6 (on the perfect cf. Winers Grammar, § 40, 4 a.; Lightfoot St. Clement, Appendix, p. 414); passive to pay tithes (Vulg.decimor): Hebrews 7:9. (Nehemiah 10:37.) (Compare: ἀποδεκατόω.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

The verb underlying Strong’s 1183 denotes the setting apart of a tenth for God. It frames tithing not as a mere financial duty but as an acknowledgment that all belongs to the Lord and that priestly ministry deserves tangible honor.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Hebrews 7:6 speaks of Melchizedek who “collected a tenth from Abraham,” while Hebrews 7:9 observes that Levi, “who receives the tenth, has himself paid the tithe through Abraham.” Both perfect-tense forms point to completed acts whose significance continues, undergirding the epistle’s case for the supremacy of Christ’s priesthood.

Old Testament Foundations of Tithing

• Patriarchal precedent: “And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:20).
• Personal vow: Jacob promised, “Of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth” (Genesis 28:22).
• Mosaic legislation: Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; 26:12-15.
• Prophetic rebuke and promise: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse … and see if I will not open for you the floodgates of heaven” (Malachi 3:10).

Role in Hebrews 7

1. Superiority of Melchizedek: Abraham’s tithe shows that the patriarch honors one greater than himself (Hebrews 7:4-7).
2. Foreshadowing of Christ: The living Melchizedek receiving tithes (Hebrews 7:8) anticipates Jesus, the eternal High Priest.
3. Transition of covenant: If Levi, in Abraham, paid a tithe, the Levitical order is subordinate to the Melchizedekian order fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 7:11-19).

Typological Significance

• Recognition of supremacy: The tithe is an act of homage; Christ receives our worship and gifts.
• Mediation of blessing: As Melchizedek blessed Abraham, Christ blesses those who come to God through Him.
• Covenant superiority: The greater priesthood brings a “better hope, by which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:19).

Historical Practice in Israel and Second Temple Judaism

Jewish tradition distinguished multiple tithes—Levitical, Festival, and Poor Tithes—demonstrating both rigor and charity. Such seriousness heightens the force of Abraham’s voluntary tithe, leveraged by Hebrews to prove Melchizedek’s precedence.

Implications for Christian Stewardship

• Firstfruits principle: Giving off the top proclaims God’s ownership (Proverbs 3:9).
• Support of ministry: “Those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
• Proportional generosity: The tithe models equitable giving (1 Corinthians 16:2).
• Worshipful response: Gifts are “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice” (Philippians 4:18).

Early Church Witness

The Didache urges believers to share firstfruits with those who teach. Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian view tithing as a continuing moral duty, heightened by Christ’s call to sacrificial love.

Conclusion

Though appearing only twice, Strong’s 1183 anchors a sweeping biblical narrative: God’s people honor Him—and affirm Christ’s superior priesthood—by gladly dedicating the first and best of their increase.

Forms and Transliterations

δεδεκάτωκε δεδεκατωκεν δεδεκάτωκεν δεδεκατωται δεδεκάτωται δεκατούντες δεκατρείς δεκατριών δεκαχόρδω dedekatoken dedekatōken dedekátoken dedekátōken dedekatotai dedekatōtai dedekátotai dedekátōtai

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 7:6 V-RIA-3S
GRK: ἐξ αὐτῶν δεδεκάτωκεν Ἀβραάμ καὶ
NAS: But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham
KJV: them received tithes of Abraham,
INT: from them has tithed Abraham and

Hebrews 7:9 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: δεκάτας λαμβάνων δεδεκάτωται
NAS: who received tithes, paid tithes,
KJV: tithes, payed tithes in
INT: tithes receives has been tithed

Strong's Greek 1183
2 Occurrences

δεδεκάτωκεν — 1 Occ.
δεδεκάτωται — 1 Occ.